National Retail Hobby Stores Association 2016 Table Top Expo

My Dad (Jim) and I just got back for the annual Hobby Store Owners Convention in Las Vegas! This is, by far, my favorite hobby show. It is a small table top show, that focuses on the human interaction, and the product is secondary. It is all about building relationships with our distributors, manufacturers, and fellow shop owners. The friendships we have made through this show have been priceless! When I call a supplier, they know who I am, and I know who they are. If I want to bounce an idea off another shop owner, or get advise, I can call my friends in Massachusetts, LA, Louisiana, or Indiana.... This was my second year acting as the commentator for the RC Car, and the RC boat demos. As well, I sat on a three person Q&A Panel that focused on drones. It was a great honor to be used as the resource for my peers, in this very cutting edge field. I was also reelected to my position on the board of directors for the National Retail Hobby Stores Association, for which I am very pleased. This trip was a massive amount of effort, waking up at 7:00am to do my events at 8:00-8:30, going to seminars and demos, walking the show floor, having meetings and dinners with suppliers, getting to bed around 1:00am with little rest in between, but it is so very worth it! I was also lucky enough to have my wonderful wife tag along, and experience the show for the first time! We were excited to squeeze in a Billy Idol concert while we were there, too! I always return from this show recharged and ready to make our shop better! I can't wait for next year's show!